The Lakerhead

Kobe’s 40 Delivered With a Scowl

Put away the math books, at least for Game 1 of the Finals.  After every NBA expert attempted to solve this series’ algorithm (most eventually giving the Lakers the edge), I think we all forgot one key detail.

Odom and Ariza Can Stay Nice, Kobe Has "Enough Mean" For Everyone.

Kobe’s scowl.  I didn’t think his killer instinct and game had another gear.  Ladies and gentlemen, introducing gear 7.

Did we really think Kobe is just going to be another All-Star like Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard, or Pau Gasol in this Finals equation?  Did we not stop and wonder that there was no way one of the best players of all-time was going to let his team lose?

Let us remember, Kobe played against 3 Hall of Famers in the Celtics last year.  With Pau Gasol shell-shocked by the tough Celtics, it was basically 1 All-Star against 3, and Kobe still pushed the Celtics to 6 games.

Kobe Goes Around Lee With the Up-and-Under and Scores a Layup Before Howard Could Get There.

Now that the All-Star count is even, Kobe shows he’s more All-Time.  The greatest shooting guard this side of Michael Jordan drops 40 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, and the Lakers smash the Magic, 100-75.

Courtney Lee and Mikael Pietrus have no prayer in guarding Bryant.  Stan Van Gundy is going to send out the hounds on Sunday, trapping Kobe everywhere.  Trevor Ariza and Derek Fisher better set phasers to kill, as they will no doubt be getting some open looks from the 3-point line.

As Kobe helped the Lakers pull away in the 3rd quarter (scoring 18 points in that quarter alone), every shot he swished seemed to make him madder.  His scowl was no act, it’s never been an act for Kobe.  The Lakers could go up by 26, and Kobe still wants your heart.  He still wants to correct mistakes for next time.

With Bynum a Presence on Both Ends, the Magic's Chances Are Slim.

As much as Kobe willed his team to a victory in the first game of the Finals, he couldn’t have done it without help.

The combination of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol on Dwight Howard befuddled Howard, who was 1-6 from the field with 12 points (he did have 15 rebounds).  Not exactly like scoring on Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao, is it, Dwight?

As Dwight proved with his new Vitamin Water commercial, he is the master of imitation.  He might want to look up Shaquille O’Neal - circa 2002 - and do his best impression, because that’s what the Magic might need to beat this Lakers team 4 times in a series.

Welcome to the Finals, Rashard.

Orlando’s 3-point strategy magically (sorry, couldn’t resist) disappeared, as they went 8-23 (a measly 34%).  A lot of those shots from downtown were with a Lakers defender draped all over them.  Gone are those wide open short corner threes they saw so much against the Cavaliers.

There is no way Rasard Lewis shoots 2-10 again while Hedo Turkoglu shoots 3-11 in the same game.  There is certainly no way Dwight Howard shoots 1-6 again.  Orlando can take comfort that there is still time to find their better game, the game that made them Eastern Conference champions.

The Magic will be back.  Unfortunately for them, so will Kobe’s Scowl.